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 Special
Operations.Com
20th Special
Operations Squadron
The
20th Special Operations Squadron, located at Hurlburt
Field Fla., is one of eight flying squadrons within
the 16th Special Operations Wing. Known as the
"Green Hornets," the 20th SOS flies
the MH-53J Pave Low IIIE, the Air Force's most
sophisticated helicopter.
The primary mission of the 20th
SOS is to conduct day or night low level penetration
into hostile enemy territory, to accomplish clandestine
infiltration and exfiltration, aerial gunnery
support and resupply of special operations forces
throughout the world. These operations involve
tactical low-level navigation, night vision goggle
operations, airland and airdrop techniques and
over-water operations. The unique capabilities
of the MH-53J Pave Low allow the 20th to operate
from unprepared landing zones in any type of terrain
and from otherwise inaccessible areas.
The 20th SOS was formed as the
20th Helicopter Squadron in 1956, to perform traditional
helicopter missions with H-21s for the Tactical
Air Command. In 1965, the unit's CH-3E helicopters
were transferred to Southeast Asia and the squadron
began unconventional warfare and special operations
as the Pony Express. In 1967, when joined by the
UH-1F/P helicopters formerly assigned to Project
Lucky Tiger, they became the "Green Hornets."
It was on one of these 20th HS missions that Captain
James P. Fleming earned the Congressional Medal
of Honor for heroism during combat. The Green
Hornets continued to do unconventional warfare
missions for seven distinguished years, until
deactivation of the 20th Helicopter Squadron in
1972.
Reactivated in 1976 at Hurlburt
Field, the unit mission remained unconventional
warfare and special operations using UH-1N gunships
and CH-3Es. The HH-53H Pave Low replaced the CH-3E
in 1980, providing a long range, heavier lift
helicopter capability. The crews used the Pave
Low avionics to arrive over target, on time and
undetected - where they performed terminal operations
wearing night vision goggles. In 1983, the UH-1Ns
began two years of outstanding support as part
of then Vice President George Bush's South Florida
Drug Enforcement Task Force, participating in
Operation Bahamas, Antilles and Turks. The Op
BAT Hueys flew hundreds of daring over-water missions
from the Bahamas before transferring to Homestead
Air Force Base, Fla., in 1985.
In 1986, the Green Hornets flew
the specially equipped and highly capable MH-53H
Pave Low and have been flying the new MH-53J Pave
Low III since 1988. The new Pave Low "J-model"
features new integrated avionics, enhanced cockpit
controls and displays and improved weapons systems.
In December 1989, members of the 20th SOS were
mobilized as part of a joint task force for Operation
Just Cause, successfully restoring democracy in
Panama.
Among the first units to deploy
to Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, 20th
SOS crew members and aircraft led U.S. Army AH-64
Apaches in the air strike, opening the air war
in Operation Desert Storm. A 20th SOS crew rescued
Navy Lt. Devon Jones, logging the first successful
combat rescue of a downed airman since the Vietnam
War. The crew deservedly earned the MacKay Trophy
for their accomplishments. Most recently, 20th
SOS personnel deployed in support of Operation
Restore Democracy in Haiti, providing support
to yet another National Command Authorities resolution.
Members of the 20th SOS, participating in operations
in Bosnia-Herzegovina, went into harms way in
attempting a rescue of two downed French crewmen,
receiving two Purple Heart Medals and the coveted
Cheney Award. Most recently, Green Hornet crews
were involved in the search and rescue operations
resulting from the CT-43 crash in which the Commerce
Secretary Ron Brown and his party lost their lives.
These same crews deployed shortly thereafter to
support the American Embassy evacuations in Monrovia,
Liberia - airlifting more than 2,000 evacuees
to safety. Most recently, in February 1998, the
squadron deployed crews and aircraft to Southwest
Asia in support of Central Command and Operation
DESERT THUNDER. Pave Low gave the theater commander
a night, all-weather personnel recovery capability,
unparalleled in the US inventory.
The highly trained and motivated
crews of the 20th SOS stand ready, willing and
able to deploy worldwide to support any theater
commander's special operations force helicopter
requirements, fulfilling the motto - "Any
Time, Any Place."
(Current as of September 1998)
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